Nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) is a formulation that is readily soluble in saline, eliminating the need for lipid-based solvents (ie, Cremophor EL) and corticosteroid and antihistamine premedications for hypersensitivity reactions required for traditional unbound paclitaxel. nab-paclitaxel has also been shown to actively bind to secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) in the tumor stroma, which is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and actively binds to the albumin in nab-paclitaxel and further concentrates the drug into the tumor. SPARC expression in the stroma of tumor cells has been associated with poor survival. In a Phase I/II trial (Von Hoff et al 2011) involving 67 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, the regimen of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine had tolerable adverse effects with substantial antitumor activity, warranting Phase III evaluation.